5.1 speaker system recommendations - $750 to $1K price range

Hey all of you people who are much smarter than me:

I'm interested in setting up a 5.1 speaker system with some inexpensive equipment that I've got. I want to combine the speaker system with a Sony STR DE 998 receiver, and a Pioneer DVD/SACD/DVD-A player (one of the cheaper ones, but it will play everything). I plan to use this to listen to music primarily (jazz and rock), but also for occasional DVDs and tv.

I'm interesting in staying around $750-$1000 for the speaker set. I've looked at the box stores (BB & CC), and briefly online, and have looked at:

Klipsch Synergy Quintet III, with a Sub-10 or 12 subwoofer
KEF KHT2005IIBLMP
JBL SCS300.5
Polk RM6880
Infinity TSS-800

For my price range, are any of these particularly outstanding speaker systems? Are there like-priced others that are better choices?

 

IIRC the bronze series from monitor audio may be in your range. I cannot remember, but used it certainly would be.

 

Aggie89,
I have these speakers and am happy with them:

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3996145

The friend that recommended them paid around $500 when they were released and he is still happy with his decision.

Mine are connected to a Harmon Kardon AV 135 amp. I listen to mostly rock and pop in DVD-A and SACD formats. Pink Floyd, Stones, Neil Young etc.etc
They fill my HI -Rez needs nicely and at this price they can't be beat.

good luck,
ex_mixer

 

Thanks, ex. That's a very good price for those.

Looking through what's available at jr.com, those Harman Kardon HKTS 18's look like they're pretty decent for the price ($500). Anyone have experience with these?

 

Aggie89-

Have you considered the AV123 offerings? Here's a link to their X-series 5.1 offerings:

http://www.av123.com/products_category_pack.php?section=speakers&brand=55

 

Do you have a Paradigm dealer near you?

http://www.paradigm.com/Website/Dealers/Dealers.html

 

Actually yes, thanks for reminding me! I think I'll stop by there tonight or tomorrow for a listen.

 

I'm not a HT person, but I know they have a 5.1 system using the Atom, which I have two of in my BR, and love.

 

+1 on bothe Paradigm and Monitor Audio. Maybe look at some of the newer Polks.

 

Orb Audio makes some nice 5.1 speakers that easily run under $1k.

www.orbaudio.com

Here's a package for $779, including subwoofer (the $779.00 package is the bottom picture). Blows the pants off the mass market brands!

http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2

 

Which reminds me to add Gallo to the list.

 

You might want to go with an Oppo player rather than a cheap Pioneer. The Oppo will probably be both cheaper and better.

www.oppodigital.com

 

Gary Pelled, founder of Orb Audio, was co-founder of Anthony Gallo Acoustics.

The Orb Mod1 is basically an improved Gallo Nucleus Micro. Notice the family resemblance?

 

I may try the Orbs for my small HT room. High wife acceptance factor.

 

Try the antique copper finish. My wife picked mine out!

 

I would go with all Mackie HR824 or HR646biamped monitors. these rare universally acclaimed even when used among audiophiles.

I got a Guitar Center card, where the HR624 were being slashed to $300/each for a HR624 (that's $300 off a pair)--which has optimized amps and electronic crossover sections , along with other acoustic compensation switches.

And my belief is a 5.1 system,is that ALL the speakers should be "large" and be exactly the same or basically the same with a slightly smaller woofer.

Most 5.1 mixes are mixed using 5 of the same bi-amped monitors and a sub, if needed

 

+2 for Paradigms

for under 1K perhaps you could fit 4x Paradigm Atoms and a CC170 + sub this would do for 5.1 music much better than satellite sized speakers.